1,057 comments

Here’s a thought. A Time lord’s first regeneration cycle is always gender specific. The second more random. The Master, like the Doctor, gained a second set of 12 possible incarnations perhaps as a condition of fighting in the Time War. Making Derek Jacobi possibly the 13th Master ( #12 regenerating into #13 due to injuries sustained during the opening phase of the Dalek/Time Lord conflict perhaps )making Simm #14 and Michelle Gomez #15.

I think it’s no accident that the current Doctor will regenerate into a woman after encountering the first Doctor at, presumably , the time he himself regenerated for the first time.
In 1966 the fact that he could turn into another man was as radical an idea as swapping genders is now. Could this be the point to resurrecting the first Doctor?

Of course we had the Daleks to cushion the blow back then. Which suggests to me that Jodie Whittaker’s first story playing the Doctor NEEDS to be a Dalek story. And, like “Power “, it needs to be bloody good one.

I can imagine it now…post regeneration, the Doctor sees her reflection in a mirror….shocked, she gasps “I’m still not ginger…!”

🙂

Gordon

July 17th, 2017 - 1:20pm

I wonder how long the show would be able to carry on with the current status quo of the male lead actor and female co star. The ratings being the lowest since the late 80s. Yes I know the way people consume tv has changed but it still doesn’t change the fact it’s becoming a tired show (I liked capaldi btw) in its current format and less casual people are watching. It’s been on air since 2005. In the current climate that’s a rare feat. It needs a massive shot in the arm and I don’t think chibnill coming in alone would do that. Since 2005 We have had An actor In their 20s 30s 40s 50s and 70s as the doctor. If we had gone for another male in the similar age rating it could be seen as harking back to a different era. the show that has been about change since 1964 is changing again. This is just the next step in its evolution. Sure they could have had a strong female companion but we’ve been there before. It wouldn’t change the dynamic of the show or keep it fresh or new as we’ve been there before. This gives chibnill a completely baggage free toy box to play with. I know some fans won’t accept it but fans in a lot of circumstances fear change. Just look at how capaldi or smith was received. Some didn’t want them at first but when they were leaving they didn’t want them to go. If you want another example some fans hated Martha at first because it wasn’t rose and some hated her because the companion should be white but she proved them wrong. Chibnill said he was taking risks boy was he right about that

There’s plenty of ways they could have freshened the show up without changing the gender of the central character…good writing and story telling for starters..

Pats86

July 17th, 2017 - 1:55pm

Bang on Adam.

Pats86

July 17th, 2017 - 1:58pm

Maybe a few years rest might have been better?

Tim M

July 17th, 2017 - 2:33pm

I think if this new take on Doctor Who isn’t a success, then they will shelve the series instead of casting someone else.

Gordon

July 17th, 2017 - 3:27pm

Except the last season quality wise was the best since about season 5 and viewers weren’t tuning in. BBC won’t rest it for the simple reason it’s one of their biggest money spinners

Pats86

July 17th, 2017 - 8:45pm

Last season was better than the previous three but even then it was mediocre! Hopefully Chibnall can improve the writing at least.

The Prydonian

July 17th, 2017 - 1:20pm

The issue is not Jodie Whitaker, who is a fine actress. The issue is The Doctor is a male character. End of. The dynamic will be completely wrong. What is the sex of the Doctor now as a character ? Maybe Tarzan or Luke Skywalker should be female ? Are there people or there angry that a woman doesn’t play Bond ? Probably. It’s ridiculous. As good as Michelle Gomez was, making the Master female was bad enough. If they had to have a female Doctor/ Master why not have them inhabit a body to survive some catastrophe and in a way still allow the canon to remain in tact. Most of the people foaming at the mouth for a female Doctor probably are not fans of the show anyway. PC gone mad.

to be fair most of the others are human Characters and to change them would be quite frankly ridiculous

I do hear what you say about whether those clambering for it will actually watch or if they are just “jumping on the bandwagon”

12th Doctor Fan

July 17th, 2017 - 1:39pm

Thankyou I so agree, I’ll give her chance but won’t be buying any 13th stuff, sorry but that’s how I feel,

Pats86

July 17th, 2017 - 1:57pm

Starbuck in Battlestar Galactica changed gender when it rebooted, and she was brilliant.

The Prydonian

July 17th, 2017 - 2:37pm

Battlestar is a different kettle of (Jim the) fish. It was a fresh reboot ( and brilliant) but this is the continuity of the central character. For me, being female almost doesn’t matter – it’s the disregard of established mythology for the sake of it.

The Prydonian

July 17th, 2017 - 2:44pm

It’s been pointed out to me about the general in Heaven Sent changing that as if therefore it’s canon. Not a chance – that was a cheap unnecessary trick for laying the foundations for the Doctor to be female. I hated it. It added nothing to the story whatsoever and again Time Lord history was ignored to allow this to take place. Instead of post regeneration trauma etc, she gets up in clothes that fit and starts barking orders as if nothing had happened. Rubbish. Plus Ken Bones was a much better actor. Such a shame

The Prydonian

July 17th, 2017 - 2:47pm

Sorry I meant Hell Bent not Heaven Sent. My mistake. (Tho not as big a one as making The Doctor female)

Tim M

July 17th, 2017 - 12:48pm

Nobody though can be too surprised we are getting a female Doctor. Moffat has deliberately added to or ruined (take your pick) Time Lord mythology. He has on several occasions alluded to the issue the Doctor (Time Lords) can change gender. The 8th Doctor was offered the chance to be female on Karn. The 11th Doctor just after regenerating from his 10th incarnation, thinks for a moment he’s a girl. The General on Gallifrey changed gender, and most obviously the Master became Missy. Whether we like it or not, is it really all that surprising. It’s been clearly signposted by Moffat since he took over. It was heading down this path once Matt Smith uttered his first words…and I mean as the Doctor..not when he was a baby!

I can think of no positive male role model left in any BBC drama programme now.

Pats86

July 17th, 2017 - 1:00pm

Danger Mouse?

Tim M

July 17th, 2017 - 1:02pm

Chris Chibnall is just fulfilling the groundwork laid down by Steven Moffat.

Tim M

July 17th, 2017 - 1:14pm

Robert Holmes created the limited 12 regenerations in ‘The Deadly Assassin’. Terrance Dicks created the possibility of a ‘new’ life cycle for the Master in ‘The Five Doctors’. RTD wiped out the Time Lords in a ‘Time War’. Steven Moffat brought them back, and created the fact that Time Lords can change gender. What you can see is the Mythology of the Time Lords has been interpreted in different ways by different writers over many years. So I will be interested to see what Chris Chibnall will add to the mythology. I think I liked RTD interpretation best. Just getting rid of the Time Lords and Gallifrey.

Gordon

July 17th, 2017 - 1:23pm

Which could say rtd had a hand. “regeneration is a lottery. You never know what you are going to get”

You could also hark back to Sydney numan in 1986 who wanted the doctor to be a woman

The Outcast

July 17th, 2017 - 1:54pm

The “Regeneration is a lottery, you never know what you’re going to get” is actually a mixture of 2 quotes, one from ‘Time and the Rani’ and one from Castravalva.

Tim M

July 17th, 2017 - 2:01pm

Sydney Newman also considered bringing back Patrick Troughton in 1986. I think that was one of the proposals put forward to Michael Grade back then. Ha Ha…I could just imagine Newman and Grade sitting opposite each other in a restaurant, and it going much the same way as Alan Partridge putting his programme ideas to the BBC chief commissioner in ‘A Room with an Alan’…Monkey Tennis! 🙂

The Prydonian

July 17th, 2017 - 2:50pm

Actually RTD brought the Time Lords back

Tim M

July 17th, 2017 - 4:42pm

Ah yes…but they were sent back into the Time War. Gallifrey and the Time Lords were brought back for a one off epic finale for Tennant…then they were meant to be gone again.

I wanted Ben Whishaw to play the part for more LGBT recognition I think gay people are more understanding because they’re so used to persecution they see the world differently and when things like this happen they recognize it’s a good step for diversity and female representation. I love this decision of a female Doctor it doesn’t bother me in the slightest

Yingyang

July 17th, 2017 - 12:45pm

Not true Thomas. Some will never be happy with the casting, some will, most of the world couldn’t care.

The only one I wasn’t happy with was Sylvester McCoy, that turned out well.

Adam

July 17th, 2017 - 1:07pm

Ivanno jeremiah wouldn’t have been a fantastic choice and the breathe of fresh air the series needed…his role as a synth in Humans is spellbinding to watch…so alien..so doctorish..

cyberized

July 17th, 2017 - 12:25pm

I would just like to say, having been really hacked off yesterday, at first when the Doctor was shown, i instantly didnt like her. But what you have to take into consideration, is that Time Lords regenerate into a new body, every single thing about his or her body changes.

Maybe the reason we have never seen this type of Doctor before is that from 1 up to and including 12 were a full set of regenerations. Ten didnt change his face because, lets admit it, he was being vain about how he looked.

When 8 was preparing to become a warrior, Ohila (spelt correctly?) explained that he could become anything, including a woman, eight chose to become a man and thus, the male War Doctor was what happened.

On Trenzalore, Clara Oswald pleaded with the Time Lords to help the Doctor and so they gave him a brand new cycle of new regenerations, 12 was the first of this set of possibly twelve new bodies, but this time they gave him a different variety, so because the 12th body is on its way out, the new set includes female bodies and so the 13th body is another gender.

With that being said, variety could possibly mean, as well as female, black, gay, lesbian, asian, young and old, mixed race and maybe, just maybe, a ginger haired body.

The Doctor is the Doctor. Its like The Moment said in The Day of the Doctor, same person different face.

If us humans were able to regenerate when we were serioulsy ill and could change our appearance, we could change gender, age, colour.

And i hope the new Doctor finds herself with a male companion, it would be good to see a bloke instead of a woman for once. In fact, i would like to see Rigsy back. I know in Face The Raven he was a dad, but the Doctor could meet him a few yeara after she and Clara last saw him.

Go watch The brain of morbius…the dr had 8 different faces before the 1st so technically the 1st is actually the 9th..which make’s the 5th the 13th and the last of that cycle of regeneration’s..6 was the first of his new cycle so the 12th dr is really the 8th and the 20th incarnation overall…21 if you want to count Tennant into Tennant…

Pats86

July 17th, 2017 - 2:01pm

And none of them were female? Don’t know how if gender is fluid on Gallifrey?

cyberized

July 17th, 2017 - 2:04pm

You really like making others feel small dont you? Im one of the fans who hasnt seen most of classic doctor who. Im only putting an opinion out there. No need to snap

Pats86

July 17th, 2017 - 2:34pm

Get watching the classic show cyberized you are in for a treat, with the odd exception. And don’t take it personally, emotions are high at the moment.

Anonymous

July 17th, 2017 - 4:21pm

No that was never explained in the brain of morbius, who it was showing on the screen. In the five doctors it’s stated that the fifth doctor is on his fourth regeneration, so the first doctor is the first body from birth.

Tim M

July 17th, 2017 - 4:46pm

Yes. Myself and many fans consider the images of previous incarnations in ‘The Brain of Morbius’ to be Morbius previous incarnations, and not the Doctor’s.

Adam

July 17th, 2017 - 5:00pm

Go watch it again..there was and always will be 8 different doctor’s before Hartnell..

Stop That TARDIS

July 17th, 2017 - 5:28pm

adam, you know that not everybody has seen that episode? Seems like they’re forgotten anyway

Anonymous

July 17th, 2017 - 12:06pm

Personally im excited that we have now got a female doctor but what im worried about is that the merchandise i.e action figures has to cater for both male and female viewers as im worried that if too much pink or purple may end up on the box and the toys might be put in the girls section

assuming there are any hopefully retailers will realise and put them in the neutral section (unlike the Sarah Jane Figures which killed that line dead)

cyberized

July 17th, 2017 - 12:29pm

I never ever managed to get hold of any SJA figures sadly. But recently finally brought the SJ and baby slitheen on amazon at a bargain price. I did want the Graske with SJ but its not available.
Over the moon ill finally have some sja in my collection.

But literally never saw anything in shops aside from the star poet and sj.

booboo

July 17th, 2017 - 12:31pm

they all ended up in the pound shop because toys r us put them in the girls section, when i went into buy them it never even occurred to me to look there (I looked by the Doctor Who stuff so assumed they did not have any)

Yingyang

July 17th, 2017 - 12:51pm

One my sons has every sonic screwdriver from Eccleston to date, David Tennant’s Tardis onwards. He wore Tennant’s outfit out and moved onto Matt Smith.

I know he will not want any of the new Doctors stuff even though I would happily buy them. Ah well, money saved.

booboo

July 17th, 2017 - 12:57pm

and the cosplay market is huge, sonic screwdrivers are massive sellers

WhisperMan17

July 17th, 2017 - 11:58am

Personally I’m excited for what the show has to offer for this HUGE change, I’m looking forward to the new direction, new themes and more importantly what the console room and sonic would look like. A change needed for some time and glad they did for number 13

Just looking forward to who the companion would be, if it was me, Lee Ingleby as I feel that they would have that on screen chemistry, plus his work in “our zoo” and “the a word” he would just fit the role of a companion

Previous posts have dealt with the historical reasons both for and against the sex-change Doctor.

The Doctor initially started as a bossy arrogant character, many at first thought William Hartnell’s Doctor too harsh, this mellowed through the years but was still apparent in todays characters. The female companions started off as dizzy females there only to scream and the male companions were basically brave idiots. Slowly they too evolved and in its first incarnation became stronger female roles.

With the modern reboot, the female companions became true companions (read definition). At times they got in trouble, mainly because they had 1000 years less experience than The Doctor, and at other times they were The Doctors rock. The gender and sexuality of each did not matter but the basic premise of the show was 2 strong characters who helped each other through the adventures they went on together.

Now The Doctor is a woman, will that arrogance ever show? Will we ever have a male companion as strong as Amy, telling The Doctor they are wrong? Will any male companion ever be allowed to be the ultimate saviour of the day (Rose, Amy, Donna, Clara and Billi)? Will a male character ever be allowed to fly the Tardis better than The Doctor (River)?
I very much doubt it.

I am very sorry to tell people that there is not only a bodily difference between men and women, we think differently too. We need to take the best from each other to be a better individual, that is what Doctor Who has shown in the modern era. Missy worked as a switch because The Master/Missy worked because they revelled in being alone, yet secretly yearning to be understood, they were evil. The Doctor has always wanted companions to provide another perspective and sometimes hold The Doctor back, the character knew it was sometimes arrogant and overbearing. The Doctor knew that because of age they were prone to thinking they knew best, it is after all why they stole the Tardis in the first place, afraid of Timelord arrogance. They were good.

If we are not to lose that the new Doctor still needs those traits. In real-life it does happen. I cannot imagine the current shows producers or the BBC doing this. So the show loses it’s key dynamic.

The Doctor and his modern day companions showed that whether as friends or lovers and always equals, male and female are better together, perfect role models.

Peole keep talking about ratings, ratings mean nothing now. The average high rating in uk now is 6million, compare that to the 15million that eastenders or coronation street used to get, they now get 5-6 per episode. New doctor, new show, support it. The childish rants are depressing me, people need to examine their lives if a female doctor is so offensive to them. I have a friend who stopped watching when colin baker was the doctor, he’s never watched an episode since. Who is the one who missed out? Him or the show that continued without him? The show is not dead, but if it did end, then well done fans, i hope you will be proud

Don’t really understand the fans will be to blame thing, if you don’t like something you don’t watch, you remain a fan if what you do like.

Doctor Stu

July 17th, 2017 - 11:15am

People say the BBC have killed the show because there’s a female doctor whereas all the whiny protesters who turn off purely because of the fact that she’s a woman are the ones who are going to kill the show by not watching.

booboo

July 17th, 2017 - 11:17am

surely if its any good it will gain more than it looses?

Doctor Stu

July 17th, 2017 - 11:20am

I’m hoping it gains a huge female following to boost ratings

booboo

July 17th, 2017 - 11:22am

I hope so, they will be new fans who weren’t before

works both ways

pats86

July 17th, 2017 - 11:30am

But will the new viewers be enough to compensate? just because more females might watch does not mean they will stay with it!

booboo

July 17th, 2017 - 11:38am

you know how it is, many of the people who say they wont watch will, and many new ones will watch out of curiosity – its what happens after that that matters so over to you Chris Chibnall

The other thing is as i have said is that the main focus on this site is merchandise, it will time for the “embrace the change” brigade to put their money where their mouth is so to speak

Pats86

July 17th, 2017 - 12:14pm

Are you confident boys/men will want to buy the merchandise booboo?
Although many females embrace science fiction I still think it is dominated by male fans. I feel a little afraid of the shows future I must admit, the fallout from this is incredible but we all knew it would get nasty.

booboo

July 17th, 2017 - 12:26pm

the collectors will, its if your average “toy buyer” and “impulse buyer” will

female Doctor Who characters don’t sell in huge quantities, Missy clearly struggled, we never got an accurate Clara, only one Donna etc

it goes way beyond just the figures though, if I’m honest I have my concerns on Merchandise even if the show does OK

the ergon

July 17th, 2017 - 11:01am

I have to say i wasn,t that wide of the mark with the broadchurch connection. People should just embrace the change.theres always that kneejerk reaction. These very same people who negate this casting will sort of cast there eyes over their shoulders out of curiousity and if fans, will eventually go with the flow like most of us. I remember hating the casting of sylvester mccoy. Now years later some of his stories are now some of my all time favourites. ideally i would have preferred olivia coleman.Jodie whittaker is a good actress but not the first actress you think might think of as first choice. She has a fey vulnerability to her in the roles i,ve seen her in. A female 5th doctor if you like. I just hope they get the balance right in terms of how she will play the role. It would have been a bit staid to cast a generic white male. Its good there shaking up the formula. Paves the way next for a black actor. The show is just moving with the times.

OK, listen. Is there actually any point in the female Doctor debate anymore? Like it or not, the next Doctor is a woman. Maybe it’ll be for the better and maybe it’ll be for the worse but only time will tell.

It’s just…we all want Doctor Who to do well, right? It’s clear we are somewhat divided in our visions for the show but now that the casting has been done, should we not all be hoping that Chris Chibnall and his team will make the most out of the decision?

I hate to bring Brexit up in here, but think of it this way. Before the referendum there were obviously loads of people discussing and debating whether the UK should leave the EU or remain in the EU. Then the referendum happened and 52% voted to leave – by no means a big majority but enough so that the UK will, in some form or other, leave the European Union. Essentially, the decision has now been made and now we just need to make the most of it. There’s no realistic chance of the decision being reversed. Regardless of whether leaving the EU is a good/bad thing we should make sure it is as good (or as not bad) as possible. There’s still lots of stuff to discuss and get sorted in terms of the Brexit deal.

The same reasoning could be applied to the casting of Jodie Whittaker as the Doctor. It’s happened now. She has been cast and there’s no realistic chance of the casting being undone. Now it’s just a matter or making the most of the casting regardless of whether it’s a good/bad thing. There is still lots to discuss that hasn’t yet been sorted yet though, like the costume, the companions and probably even many if not most of the stories!

Exactly. I wish people would just relax. She really could be brilliant. How do we know yet!

When The Doctor Was Me

July 17th, 2017 - 10:23am

The morning after the day before…
Having had this on my mind all night i have reached my conclusion till broadcast.
Though I just can’t visulise such a huge change. Mr Chibnall you have my attention, my full attention. I want you to prove to me and many others that this was the best decision to make for the series and not just a gimmick casting. I want you to wow me from episode 1, prove to me that this can work… will work… and will mark a huge triumph for the show.
Make or break time now, I wait for series 11 with great expectations.

The twelfth doctor said he can’t just keep turning into somebody else, that he was tired of just not dying so what better way to reinvigorate himself and give himself a new lease of life than turning into a woman, something he’s never tried before, hes had countless strong female companions who have shaped his life and so maybe he wants to take that strength on board

I really applaud your statement. I think that now that the Doctor is a women, he/she will be able to further deepen and enrich that much more by being able to expand the Doctor”s ongoing character development.

Anonymous

July 17th, 2017 - 10:07am

Did anyone see Victoria Derbyshire on BBC 2, they had a short bit on the 13th doctor, it had clips from the other doctor, really badly edit, and really random, then after saying there had been a bit of a backlash, had the doctor who magazine editor, fair enough,and three other people and gave a completely one sided view about how great it is. Great debate on the subject. Typical BBC telling the public a censored view. Completely pointless bit of tv.

But the woman had just been revealed as the next doctor it was more of a congratulatory piece for her not something to say ‘oh a lot of people hate the decision’

Gordon

July 17th, 2017 - 10:45am

Well they weren’t going to say it was a crap idea. That would totally undermine BBC and chibnill choice in hiring her

Adam

July 17th, 2017 - 10:55am

Yep BBC breakfast had some guy on too frothing at the mouth and spinning the same old guff on how it’s all about change and how great it’s all going to be..bla,bla,bla…

prototype dalek

July 17th, 2017 - 11:17am

The BBC also promised the next doctor would not be a woman and now done a complete U turn on that idea, so lie as well as censor BBC. Bias Broadcasting Corporation. The Female Doctor has been treated like Brexit, just seems to show one view all the time.

I don’t think the Russian, Chinese, North Koreans and Arab States will be keen as its their culture that woman aren’t lead in much, sad but true. The US are also a bit fed up as well with PC.

The Prydonian

July 17th, 2017 - 9:32am

This has ruined my favourite show since 1966. Please understand the suggestion by JNT/Tom Baker that the Doctor maybe a woman was done as a JOKE to excite the press. The worst thing Moffat did was introduce Time Lord gender regeneration. He has put the nail in the coffin of his favourite show. Great work SM ! You have destroyed the shows history and legacy. No doubt. Just because the show can do almost anything doesn’t mean it should do everything at the expense of its history. The Doctor is a male – that is the story. He has a lost family, granddaughter etc. There are Time Lords and Ladies. Do their sons or daughters swap genders etc – it really is just a naff trendy idea and they have rolled over and succumbed to political pressure. There must be great roles for women – no doubt but don’t ruin 54 years of DW by bolting a female Doctor into it. Why not make a spin off about a female Time Lady – that’s got to be better than Class. The show has ended with the great Peter Capaldi. Well done sir- you were not only a great Doctor but for me, one of The Great Doctors. I’m sad to see you go and I’m even sadder by your replacement . I have no issue with Jodie at all but she is not The Doctor. Moffat, Chibnall and the BBC – you have collectively destroyed the greatest show in the galaxy. I hope you are proud of yourselves. I’m sure you are. By the way the last two series off Broadchurch were complete crap

Look at it as a step forward for females who have always wanted to become The Doctor and now they can.

Also it could be a step forward to cast a person with a disability in the role or someone from the LGBTQ+ community.

Adam

July 17th, 2017 - 10:40am

Then why not be bold and original and make a brand new show with a female heroine? Call it The amazing adventures of Timelady Fred…I’d watch!

pats86

July 17th, 2017 - 11:25am

Thomas how about a step forward and create a new female character instead of changing a tried and tested one?

Stop That TARDIS

July 17th, 2017 - 5:34pm

Adam i agree! remember romana as well! Would much prefer that than this (no doubt ill get replies on how i shouldn’t say that and can’t have an opinion blah blah blah)

Doctor Stu

July 17th, 2017 - 9:24am

This is Chibnall, writer of Broadchurch a man who gets you suspecting everyone, shifting your attention this way and that way and then dropping a bomb on you at the end of the series, maybe the next Doctor is a man and he’s been kidnapped by Jodie and locked in a trunk somewhere. This way we get a female doctor for a whole series and then at the end we find out the real doctor was actually a man all along locked up somewhere and all the whiny people will get their male back in charge of the TARDIS and Jodie will be defeated

I would encourage everyone to watch it, regardless of your feelings right now, and if you don’t like it after seeing it then fair enough.

R1ch1e

July 17th, 2017 - 9:50am

Well said Booboo! She hasn’t even uttered a word as the Doctor yet (in character) and people are already on her back. I feel sorry for the poor girl. She has been welcomed by some horrible comments, I just hope she takes on board the good comments.
Btw I noticed that the poll at the top of the page has shifted much more positivly.

booboo

July 17th, 2017 - 10:04am

I do understand the negativity though, I can see both sides.

Adam

July 17th, 2017 - 12:31pm

Nah…fans who like myself are against this piece of sensationalist casting will dip into the first episode just out of curiosity….then cringe and hit the off switch when the timelady starts waving around her new sonic hair curlers…

Pats86

July 17th, 2017 - 1:06pm

Sonic hair curlers? booboo get it patented quick!

The Outcast

July 17th, 2017 - 2:16pm

I’m with Boohoo on this. I am on the fence, I can see both yards, both throwing bile at each other. The only way to find out whether or not this was a success is to wait for Series 11 next April (hopefully). In the meantime, we still have 1 episode with 12 and Comic Con might yield some good Series 10 figures.

Tim M

July 17th, 2017 - 9:07am

In a way, doesn’t the 12th Doctor meeting the 1st Doctor possibly puts closure to the male Doctors. It kinda bookends an entire era, and I suppose if you wish, that could be where the series ends if you so wish.

Good point Tin M, unfortunately it will end for some (a very lot) and that saddens me : (

Tim M

July 17th, 2017 - 9:38am

Realistically the series is already tired, and for it to go forward, a female Doctor seems the obvious route to now take. So at the basic and most noticeable level, casting a female already gives the show a significant shot in the arm. Casting another Male could have made him the last incarnation of this current run, casting a Female could also make her the last incarnation of this current run. For ‘Doctor Who’ to have a chance to survive for a few more years, something had to change, they had to take a gamble, it’s make or break for ‘Doctor Who’. This would be the scenario whoever was cast as the 13th Doctor.

Adam

July 17th, 2017 - 10:21am

Personally i think the show should have been rested for a while…instead of trying to reinvent it with a gender swap….

pats86

July 17th, 2017 - 11:12am

In certain states in the USA a shot in the arm means the end? I hope you have not seen the future of the show?

Mick181

July 17th, 2017 - 11:51am

There is one thing everyone has forgotten, Capaldi was the 1st Doctor of a whole new cycle of regenerations, after the Timelords gave Smiths Doctor the new cycle at the end of Time of the Doctor.
Moffatt had to do something due to the fact that Time Lords only get 13 lives and had used them all up by Smiths time.
Once that has happened it gave the Show Runners freedom from any canon about the Doctors future regenerations, they could have the Doctor turn into a Klingon or a Wookie if they wanted to, there is nothing in Canon, want to blame someone, blame whoever it was that set the regeneration cycle at 13.

Tim M

July 17th, 2017 - 12:29pm

Pats86. The fact is this will either be judged a success or a failure. The fact it is a woman cast as the Doctor isn’t the issue. The issue will be when we have seen the next series, and whether a) Jodie acts extremely well in the title role. b) She maintains a loyal following and decent viewing figures…and c) Chibnall and his team write the best stuff they have ever written. It needs these 3 things to be judged a success. If one of these 3 things fail. The whole thing fails. But we can only really be critical or satisfied once we have actually seen a few episodes. I don’t think you could even judge properly from an opening episode. Unfortunately we will likely have to wait over a year to see it! But this is the biggest and riskiest changeover since Hartnell to Troughton. A change of actor in the series seemed unthinkable in 1966. A change of actor to actress (Capaldi to Whittaker) seems unthinkable to many in 2017. Let’s just keep our cool, and wait and see.

Pats86

July 17th, 2017 - 1:14pm

I am prepared to do just that, but I am very worried at the same time.

Mick181

July 17th, 2017 - 1:50pm

Pats86 i am worried about the future of Doctor Who fullstop, irrespective of who was made the new Doctor, the writing hasn’t been great for a couple of years now, the whole show has looked rushed. These last couple of seasons most episodes have been about 30 mins to short, too much attention to FX and not enough to the storyline, need to get back to the nitty gritty stuff.

The Outcast

July 17th, 2017 - 2:23pm

I consider 12 the last incarnation of Cycle 1, cause screw 10.2 being a Regeneration. If you think that counted, just fob of his extra Regeneration on the energy River gave him.

Anyway, the future is massively uncertain, this could be the of NuWho. Regardless, even if NuWho dies and we have another Hiatus, the show will return someday due to the dedication of its fanbase, which hopefully is alright.

Pats86

July 17th, 2017 - 2:38pm

The writing has been appalling Mick181 I must agree.

Cool Salsa

July 17th, 2017 - 9:02am

Interesting times, I can see both sides of the argument, maybe this should have been done in the 1980s, as for the ratings, it could be a massive success or it could tank, but we should give her a fair chance. If the writing is done well, there is no reason it should not be a success.

I reckon it should have been done in the 80s as I think it would have been less controversial back then. Then again, I love all the 80s Doctors and I wouldn’t want Sylvester McCoy to be replaced as the 7th Doctor is my favourite Doctor.

pats86

July 17th, 2017 - 9:22am

Couldn’t agree more.

theoncomingstorm

July 17th, 2017 - 8:47am

I’ve been watching the show since 1971. It was inevitable that a woman would be cast in the role. There were plenty of hints in the show since Moffat took over. Remember like it or not we live in a world dictated by Political Correctness.
I’m sure Miss Whittaker will do a fine job. Good luck to her.
Just a thought though…have you noticed how Moffat and Chibnall have picked people they’ve worked with before? It’s as if there’s a closed shop of actors to play such an iconic role.
I think John Barrowman would have been a good choice.

Indeed. RTD worked with Christopher Ecclestone on ‘The Second Coming’ before he was cast as the Doctor. Plus RTD worked with David Tennant on ‘Casanova’ before he was cast as the Doctor.

The Living Shadow

July 17th, 2017 - 8:39am

Really pleased with the news, myself. I feel like a door has been opened for future incarnations! If there were never risks, or changes to the formula of the show, Doctor Who would have died along with the 1st Doctor.

I really can’t fathom all the comments saying that she’s been casted just for the sake of being PC. Chibnil has worked with Jodie Whittaker before, so I think that’s pretty clear that he picked her because he thinks that she deserves the role, and he knows what she is capable of. Furthermore, we don’t know what kind of Doctor he wants to write. I can understand some of the other critiques though, but overall, I think the show will adapt just fine.

HI, I think Jodi whittaker is a good choice to be chosen as the new doctor. Dr Whois all about embracing change and I really hope that Jodi is successful as the new doctor. Here is a link to the newspaper article that shows that the original creator of Dr Who Sydney Newman had the idea of changing the lead role to a female lead actor to prevent the show being cancelled back in the 1980s. Good Luck Jodi and I hope this positive change in the lead role will bring the show many new followers and fans. 🙂 Tom.
.

I think it’s fair to say that the Doctor has had his life shaped and influenced by female companions, over many centuries. Would it therefore be unfair to presume that this is the Doctor fully embracing the strength and quality of their travelling female companions, and now becoming female themselves. It makes a lot of sense to me. It’s the Doctor evolving and clearly being shaped by whom they have travelled with.

Having read Jodie`s comments on her being cast as the Doctor I must say I found it rather patronising! Telling fans not be scared by her gender? It has nothing to do with being scared of gender it is all about changing the dynamics of the most successful science fiction show ever into a direction it did not need.
How can anyone justify upsetting half the fan base and causing a large amount to not want to watch anymore?
In a world of violence young boys need a role model to look up to, one who is against violence at all costs, one who wants to do the right thing when he can. Boys need male role models, yes they can be women but in another character somewhere?
Like it or not this is going to be a turn off for many males and females, it should not have happened it did not need to happen I for one fully understand why so many are so upset, I will continue to watch and see how it goes but I know lots will not!
This is a sad time because the upset caused by this change has made so many feel so upset that their favorite show has been ruined for them, and it need not have happened that is what makes it so upsetting, Moffat, Chibnall, and the BBC all knew this would happen! Moffat calls himself a fan? well no real fan would shove such an unwanted change on the worldwide fan base Doctor Who has.
I personally can deal with this unwanted change, but I also feel for those who simply feel it is too much and now feel they must walk away from this great show.

Very well put…i too found ms Whittaker’s comments to be both patronising and insulting. And the whole ‘i’m a feminist’ remark has me disliking her even more! She should go and ‘feminise’ something else and leave the good Doctor alone! And if Chibnall and the BBC think that all this hate towards her casting will go away anytime soon…it won’t!!

The Outcast

July 17th, 2017 - 9:00am

To be honest, a female Doctor isn’t the worst thing (if you consider it a bad thing) that Doctor Who has done in the revival. That would have to go to Moffat’s unfortunate trend to stick Clara into the most important parts of the 1st Doctors life.

pats86

July 17th, 2017 - 9:16am

The Outcast why did you have to mention her name?

Doctor Stu

July 17th, 2017 - 9:18am

Saying she’s a feminist means she’s championing for woman to be treated in the same way as men it doesn’t mean she’s on some sort of witch hunt to destroy everyone’s lives

pats86

July 17th, 2017 - 9:19am

I don`t mind feminism Adam, but in the right place/within another character.

The Moffat Paradox

July 17th, 2017 - 9:31am

The people who want to ram this agenda down our throats are probably also people outside of Doctor Who that don’t really get how things like Brexit and Trump could happen as well.Every action has an opposite and equal reaction.

NoMore

July 17th, 2017 - 10:38am

I found her comments to be patronising as well. I’m hoping she’ll be afforded the same respect that the BBC showed to Colin Baker when the ratings dropped during his time, as the show is struggling now and I don’t think Jodie and Chris are the right people to save it.

R1ch1e

July 17th, 2017 - 7:00am

I was really excited about the 13th Doctor when I went to bed last night and when I woke up this morning I was even more so. I think this is such a positive step and I am SO proud of my favorite show! I will be humming the theme all day now at work

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